KASUR: Khudian police on Saturday lodged a criminal case against 616 people, including 16 local leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), on charges of holding a public rally at Dogar Gardens locality in NA-132 in violation of the code of conduct of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

The by-election is going to be conducted in the constituency on Sunday (today).

As many as 521,955 voters will exercise their right to vote for the by-election where a neck-n-neck contest is expected between Muhammad Hussain Dogar of the PTI/SIC and Malik Rasheed Ahmed of the PML-N.

Police lodged a case under various sections of the PPC. Besides Muhammad Hussain Dogar, the suspects nominated in the FIR included Haji Muhammad Dogar, Sardar Nadir Farooq, Javaid Baito, Rashid Tufail, Shahid Masood, Sher Afzal Marwat, Waqas Hassan Mokal, Maqsood Sabir, Aqeel Aslam, Mehar Saleem, Nadeem Chana, Ehsan Saleem and Sardar Afzaal Dogar.

The FIR said the leaders nominated in the case headed the public meeting at Dogar Gardens without seeking any permission from the district administration and that it was in violation of the code of conduct of the ECP and Section 144. It added that the leaders of both the SIC and PTI addressed the gathering and delivered anti-government speeches to incite the people for violence.

The FIR also said the unidentified men blocked the road by parking vehicles.

On the other hand, PML-N candidate Rasheed Ahmed held a huge public meeting on Saturday night at Main Bazaar Canal Bridge where Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Ahmed Khan, former speaker Rana Iqbal and candidate Malik Rasheed addressed the gathering.

Published in Dawn, April 21st, 2024